By Our Reporter
Kilimanjaro National Park is strengthening its preparedness for anticipated El Niño rains, with the government warning that inadequate infrastructure could disrupt tourism activities and threaten revenue.
Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism Nkoba Mabula said early preparations, including improvements to park infrastructure and emergency response systems, would help minimise the impact of heavy rains on conservation and tourism.
Speaking on October 21, 2026, during a visit to the park’s Lemosho and Londorosi gates, Mr Mabula urged park authorities to improve infrastructure to ensure tourists can continue accessing key attractions during adverse weather conditions.
“Our preparations will help us manage the El Niño rains. We must improve our infrastructure so that we do not lose too many tourists during the rainy season and, consequently, lose revenue,” he said.
The visit assessed the implementation of measures designed to prepare the park for the anticipated rains and reduce potential damage to infrastructure and disruption to tourism activities.
The preparations include clearing drainage channels, spreading gravel on vulnerable sections of roads and trails, inspecting river crossings, installing radio communication towers and establishing rescue teams.
Presenting the park’s progress, Conservation Officer Grade I, Engineer Selemani Ntemi, said the measures were intended to improve access, strengthen communication and enhance emergency response capacity during the rainy season.
The work is particularly important for a destination such as Kilimanjaro National Park, where tourism depends on safe access routes and the ability to respond quickly to weather-related emergencies.
Heavy rains can damage access roads, disrupt movement within the park and complicate rescue operations, potentially affecting visitors’ experiences and tourism-related earnings.
During the visit, Mr Mabula also toured Shira Camp to inspect ongoing tourism activities, helicopter landing facilities used for rescue operations and areas affected by fire.
He called for greater use of drone technology to strengthen efforts against poaching, detect fire risks and improve the monitoring of potential threats to wildlife and the park’s ecosystem.
The technology, he said, could help authorities identify emerging threats and respond more quickly to incidents affecting conservation.
The preparations come as tourism and conservation authorities seek to protect infrastructure, visitors and natural resources against the potential effects of the 2026/27 El Niño rainfall season.
For Kilimanjaro National Park, the effectiveness of the measures will be important in maintaining visitor safety, limiting weather-related disruptions and safeguarding tourism revenue while protecting the mountain’s natural environment.